Annie Vaughn Obituary

Annie Laura Vaughn, age 98, was called to her heavenly home October 6, 2025. She was born June 6, 1927 to Earl Washington Smith and Lora Annie (Watson) Smith in Greenville County, SC. Annie Laura was born at home on an unpaved Pelham Road, where she would live until she married. When Annie Laura was 5 years old, she was in the hospital for 2 weeks with pneumonia and appendicitis. The doctors at Greenville General Hospital told her parents that she would not live long. Annie Laura's formal education began in the second grade at Boiling Springs Grammar School on Boiling Springs Road. Duke Power brought electricity to the Smith household when she was about 9 years old. Annie Laura was baptized in August 1937 in an outdoor pool at Roper Mountain Baptist Church. She began teaching Sunday School at Roper Mountain Baptist Church at age 15 and continued to teach for 75 years. Annie Laura and her two older brothers, Ariail Smith and Jack Smith would take a bus to the old Mauldin High School, where they were known as "country outsiders." Annie Laura graduated in 1943 at age 15. She wanted to be a nurse. However, with her brothers away during the later years of World War II, Annie Laura decided to remain at home to help her parents on the farm. She studied at Draughn's Business School while she had a job at the W. T. Grant General Merchandise Store in downtown Greenville. She went on to work for Hall and Cox, Realtors, and the Westinghouse Electric Company. Annie Laura married Ralph Vaughn in December 1952 at Roper Mountain Baptist Church. In 1953 she began working at the Ivey Chemical Company until the birth of her daughter Laura Ann ("Ann"). After Ralph retired from the South Carolina Highway Patrol, he and Annie Laura moved to Enoree, SC, in 1982 to live in a house that Ralph began building 2 years earlier. She was an active member of Enoree Baptist Church and met new friends and neighbors. They returned to Annie Laura's beloved Eastside in July 1997 when they moved into the Sugar Creek neighborhood. Annie Laura and Ralph enjoyed 49 years of marriage until his passing in 2001. Roper Mountain Baptist Church's new pastor, Ron Lewis, had arrived a month prior, and his faithful visits continue to be a blessing. On a bitter cold but sunny New Year's Eve Day 2014, Annie Laura was pleased to attend Ann's wedding to Eric Schaefer. Eric quickly became the favorite child. When Annie Laura's health declined at 96, she transitioned into assisted living. She worked hard to regain her mental and physical strength and proved many wrong with her resilience and progress. Annie Laura's final public outing in June 2025 was to participate in the wedding of a young woman who befriended her in assisted living. Despite her poor hearing, she developed close friendships with many assisted living residents and team members. Known for her beautiful handwriting, Annie Laura encouraged those around her with letters and notecards. She was a talented seamstress who made beautifully tailored clothing for herself and her daughter. She was an OG farm-to-table chef, cooking fresh vegetables from her Edenic garden. Her canned jams, jellies, and vegetables were treats for all. Those able to try her homemade pickles and pimento cheese were no longer satisfied with grocery store versions. And her Christmas sugar cookies went from crispy and crunchy to melting in the mouth. Annie Laura tirelessly volunteered as a school nurse and room mother and had an open door in her home. Annie Laura followed Christ closely, loved Him greatly, and knew Him well. Her life that stemmed from her faith brought that same saving faith to others. She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Ann and Eric Schaefer. She also leaves behind many treasured nieces, nephews, family and friends. Special thanks to Ron and Tracy Lewis, Bernie Slaghtery, Helen and Russell Smart, Gail Fortner, Donna and Roger Bridges, Martha Dean and Steve Garrison, Janice and Jackie Mauldin, Denise and Gene Vaughn, Sharon and Greg Ayers, Susan Weeks, Fran Creel, the Brown family, Margaret Chapman, Gene and Carol Lockaby, Cascades Verdae and Broad River Rehab team members, Sugar Creek families of Jim and Stephanie Boyd, Jeff and Dani Smith, Keys and Sarah Whitmire, and Ann and Susie Poe. A visitation will be held Sunday, October 12, 2025, at Roper Mountain Baptist Church from 2:00 p.m. to 2:25 p.m. Service to follow at 2:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family would welcome charitable contributions to Roper Mountain Baptist Church or Connie Maxwell Children's Home. Friends are encouraged to share their favorite memories of Annie Laura with the family by clicking on the button labeled "Share A Memory."